Wheeling Township Funds Agencies That Support Residents with Disabilities

Posted by VP Public Relations, Community Contributor

Alex, a Clearbrook client, showing off his group home. Clearbrook currently has 50 group homes in the northwest suburbs and is one of the agencies funded by Wheeling Township. Image Credit: Clearbrook

Alex, a Clearbrook client, showing off his group home. Clearbrook currently has 50 group homes in the northwest suburbs and is one of the agencies funded by Wheeling Township. Image Credit: Clearbrook (Posted by VP Public Relations, Community Contributor)

Community Contributor VP Public Relations

A variety of services are available for residents with disabilities or those who are caring for a loved one with disabilities. -----------For nearly 40 years, Wheeling Township has funded local agencies that provide specialized, direct support to residents in-need. In total, the Township allocates more than $700,000 annually to agencies that support the homeless, families in crisis, those dealing with mental health issues or domestic violence, and residents with disabilities.

Oftentimes, when parents become senior citizens and have children with developmental disabilities, concerns arise over how their children will be cared for when they are unable to be there for them due to old age or sickness, or when they pass away. Supportive education and services that address these issues and others are funded by the Township to assist residents with disabilities.

"The families and individuals with disabilities face significant obstacles when seeking assistance," said Director of Finance and Administration Jo Stellato. "The State of Illinois provides little help and although there are a number of human care agencies in the northwest suburbs, not all needed services are available through just one of them."

Stellato added that Wheeling Township prides itself on funding numerous agencies who provide a wide range of services, thus creating more choices for families and individuals who are dealing with developmental and/or physical disabilities.

"Our funding allows residents to receive services at no cost or on a sliding scale basis," Stellato said.

Agencies that are supported by Wheeling Township include:

Avenues to IndependenceFounded in 1953, Avenues to Independence is a nonprofit organization in Park Ridge that provides vocational and residential services to Chicago-area adults with physical, intellectual and other developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. 'Avenues' offers a variety of programs, which enhance an individuals' work, social and daily living skills, and enables those with disabilities to live as independently as possible. For more information, visit avenuestoindependence.org.

Center for Enriched Living Located in Riverwoods, the Center for Enriched Living provides for the development of skills and education for greater independence, community integration, recreation and social programs for people of all ages with developmental disabilities. According to their mission statement, the agency exists so that those with developmental disabilities can be fully included in the community, achieve personal success and enjoy the highest quality of life possible. To learn more about the Center for Enriched Living, visit centerforenrichedliving.org.

Clearbrook Center This Arlington Heights-based agency provides residential and day services to developmentally disabled adults and children. Clearbrook Center serves persons from birth through maturity by providing services to develop social, motor communication, vocational and independent living skills. To learn more about Clearbrook's offerings, visit clearbrook.org.

Little City Providing assistance to hundreds of adults and children in the Chicagoland area, Little City provides supervised work, training and outreach services to developmentally disabled, mentally, emotionally and physically handicapped persons and their families. Little City's ChildBridge Centers provide individuals up to the age of 21 with support, programs and services. For participants over 21, Little City offers LifePath Adult Services, which include activities that enable those with disabilities the opportunity to live a more independent, integrated and productive life in the community. For more information, visit littlecity.org.

Annually, Wheeling Township encourages social service agencies that provide services to the Township and its residents to apply for funding. Agencies that are interested can visit Wheeling Township's website in late August each year to download an application. The form will be available by clicking on the 'Funded Agencies' tab located on the left-hand side of the homepage. Applications are reviewed in late September. For more information, please call 847-259-7730.

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